Tucked inside Nordstrom Ala Moana is Ruscello, the perfect spot for date night! We started with the artichoke spinach dip, which was delicious. I was expecting the usual tortilla chips, but I loved that it came with soft flatbread instead. It paired perfectly with the creamy dip and made the appetizer feel a little more special. My boyfriend ordered the French dip, and it was hearty and very filling. The portion was so generous that we had leftovers to take home. I ordered the chicken lemon pesto gnocchi. The lemon flavor was a little stronger than I expected and overpowered the pesto, but the gnocchi itself was perfectly cooked with an amazing texture that made up for it. Our server was friendly and attentive, checking on us throughout the meal to make sure we had everything we needed. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere and feels a bit more upscale, though it can get a little noisy when it's busy. Overall, we had a good experience and would definitely come back. If you're looking for a nice sit-down meal while shopping at Ala Moana, Ruscello is an excellent choice. read more

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Went to the renovated Ruscello. There is a new seating area extended into the store , close to the baby carriages. I didn't see too much of a difference in the main restaurant besides new carpeting and new seats. The menu seems smaller or maybe just printed smaller. I took pictures below. I ordered the chicken gnocchi with pesto. Yum ....still tastes wonderful....I felt it was a larger serving since I almost could not eat it all like I have done so many times in the past. It seemed weird to be given a diet coke can instead of it being served in a glass. Service was efficient and I still enjoy having meals here. read more

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They just reopen after short time renovation. I and my friend decided to try for lunch. Highly recommend to make a reservation. When we made our reservation at 11:30, already the restaurant is packed. Looks like their renovation was minor change. They rid of the wall next to the entrance, that area was covered with tape, are they going to expand the table ???I'm not sure. Well, menu is not big change, little bit miner change. But we ordered as usual our regular choice, cilantro lime salad with grilled chicken and grilled shrimp! Our server was very friendly and nice, even the restaurant was super busy. Our salad tasted good and we enjoyed our meal. Anyway, when we checked out, the server asked us pay together or separate, we chose separate. She used the device and finished very quick our payment! read more

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Always loved going here and I still do! I recommend checking open table as they do get busy so walk-in times may be long. Luckily when we went in on a Thursday for lunch there was no wait and we were seated outside. The view is nice and perfect for a lunch with the girls. Our server was sweet, friendly, and attentive. Every time I have come here the service is awesome! My favs to order is the tomato soup and Nordstrom burger with a side of the olive aioli for my fries. Something new I tried this time was the artichoke dip which was honestly the best I've ever had in any restaurant. My friend got a salmon BLT which personally I was scared to try but it was actually SO good. I was so sad that we were stuffed as they also have great desserts and gelato in their menu. I'll always be back here whether I'm looking for a casual lunch or even for celebrations. read more

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It's hard to find nice comfortable ambiance integrated with great customer service and fresh delicious food but Ruscello nailed it! It is better to make reservations, attire is casual. Some Our dishes consisted of Artichoke spinach dip, Chicken Lemon & Pesto Gnocchi, lobster bisque, spicy wild shrimp pasta and the brownie sundae. All delicious popping with fresh flavors but the lobster bisque, artichoke spinach dip and the brownie sundae are a must haves in my opinion. FYI mostly everything here is made from scratch. Very wonderful dining experience and will return to try the other entrees. read more

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I always love getting some tomato soup and the nordstrom burger at Ruscello! My order is the Roma Tomato Basil Soup Bowl ($9.25), and the Nordstrom Burger ($19.75). I'd rate the soup an 8/10, and the burger a 9/10. The service is always great here. everyone seems to love working at ruscello, and all of the workers are always cheerful. The servers always check on us often, and our drinks are always topped off. Ruscello is also very flexible with substitutions for picky eaters like me! The tomato soup is so great overall. The texture is a little chunky, but i believe that it adds a certain appealing aspect to it. The flavor of the soup is always tasty, but subtle at the same time. The bread adds lots of amazing flavor and another layer of texture to the dish. The bread pairs so well with the soup. The burger is always so great. All of the ingredients come together perfectly for a burger full of harmony in each bite! The sauce compliments it perfectly, and the perfectly crispy fries do as well. The only thing about the burger is that the old sauce that came with the burger (truffle aioli i believe) was way better than the new sauce is. However, the burger is such a solid order every time, and it never gets old. The vibe of ruscello is also very modern, and the atmosphere is always bright and welcoming. The restaurant is a lively place, and the outdoor seating is beautiful as well. I would highly recommend paying Ruscello a visit. They're consistently great! read more

Ruscello at Nordstrom - Nordstrom Burger - Mediterranean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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We stopped by for a weekday lunch without a reservation. It wasn't busy when we arrived around 11 a.m., though it had filled up a bit by the time we left. The service was decent, and the atmosphere was pleasant enough. We ordered the Kung Pau Brussels Sprouts, Penne Bolognese & Meatballs, the Cilantro Lime Salad with Grilled Chicken, and their featured cranberry drinks--both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. The Brussels sprouts were on the sweeter side but still delicious. My SO enjoyed the penne, though I personally would have preferred it without the cream. The salad was tasty and I loved the cilantro, but I do wish it had come with a bit more chicken. Overall, it was a great experience and I really enjoyed the food. I'd happily come back to try more items on the menu. read more

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The homemade Margherita pizza had more of a focaccia style bread base and was a light pizza. I didn't mind it and it was simple and good. The portabella mushroom ravioli was very creamy. It was a bit too creamy to finish all at once, but I appreciated the chewy and fresh texture of the ravioli. We sat outside and were able to see the ocean. I liked the atmosphere and the waitress was also friendly. FYI: We went there during lunchtime and it was packed. We were lucky to get a seat without making a reservation, but if you want to be sure, making a reservation would make it more likely to get a seat without waiting. Even though it was crowded, we didn't have to wait long for our food! Margherita Pizza $18 Portabella Mushroom Ravioli $20 read more

Ruscello at Nordstrom - Margherita Pizza $18 - Mediterranean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This is my FAVORITE restaurant on O'ahu. Hidden away on the top floor of Nordstrom, surrounded by the kids section, and with beautiful views of the ocean, Ruscello's is the best kept secret. My favorite dishes are the French Dip Sandwich and the Salmon Niçoise Salad. Also, you MUST TRY their Kalamata Olive Aioli with french fries-- THE BEST! Additionally the service is always top notch. I've placed reservations on the phone and open table, and I've ordered through door-dash and the phone. Every visit (or non-visit from door-dash) makes me count the days until I can order from them again. read more

Parking: Ala Moana Mall Service: table service Ambiance: an elevated Olive Garden. located in nordstrom with indoor and outdoor seating with bar + sports TV Food: would rec the kung pao Brussels sprouts and their new lunch salmon BLT read more

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Ruscello is like a higher-end version of CPK and Olive Garden, but with a smaller menu and a bit higher prices. We had lunch reservations on a Saturday. We arrived and there was already a crowd of people lined up before doors opened at 11am. I really enjoyed the portabella mushroom ravioli and the Parmesan cream sauce it came with. Hubby had the bolognese with meatballs, he commented that the meatballs reminded him of meatloaf. Good experience overall. read more

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Came here before and after the recent renovation. Always been great when it came to service and food. Don't have anything bad to say. Food and drinks were very delicious. Definitely have a great view and vibe in the restaurant. And the staff are very friendly and positive. Will certainly be back. read more

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My girlfriend and I went here for my pre birthday dinner, we were excited to try this place out given the great reviews. Unfortunately, we waited one hour for our food to come out. My girlfriend's burger came out well done rather than rare as she asked. Food was very inadequate at its best. Not a great dinner overall. Manager came over, took her plate and didn't even apologize. Would not recommend. read more

I only ate at the bar, so this is a limited review. The ambiance is great. Not empty, but not too crowded, and not too noisy. Service was also top notch. The cocktails were unremarkable, but well made. The margherita pizza was delicious. read more

I got the portobello mushroom ravioli and it was so good!!! I was scared it was going to be drowning in a cream sauce but it wasn't, it was such a good balance of flavors it was amazing. The workers were super nice too! read more

Ruscello at Nordstrom - Portobello mushroom ravioli - Mediterranean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Food here is good. Service is pretty good, too. It's quiet if you go right when they open but does get noisier as the restaurant fills up. Make reservations, even for 11 when it opens and you don't have to worry about the long line of walk ins. Soups are a little different than expected, not smooth as other places but delicious. This time I had the Roma tomato basil soup. Not completely pureed, so it had a nice texture. The toast is delicious but a little too crunchy. Needs to be less like a giant crouton. Fries are yummy. Salad is good. Pasta was good. Special pumpkin dessert moon pie was tiny but delicious. read more

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Ruscello (located on the top floor inside Nordstrom) is a great restaurant to meet up with family or friends and catch up over delicious food and drinks! I always used to get their Panko Chicken Salad, which they discontinued, but I still manage to order it by getting their Honey Dijon Cobb with panko chicken on top. I also love their Vine Street cocktail that has muddled grapes and the perfect amount of fresh flavors and alcohol. We also get the French Dip often -- it's full of angus beef and comes with au jus for dipping. They also have a variety of specials that feature local dishes and offer something different from their usual menu. Vibe: There's a lot of indoor seating, including bar seating, as well as outdoor seating. Sometimes it can get quite loud when the restaurant is full, but typically it's quiet enough to hold a conversation without shouting. The servers are quick, friendly, and attentive and the quality of the food and drinks is always consistent. Parking: There is a huge free parking structure that connect to Nordstrom that always has open stalls. read more

Ruscello at Nordstrom - Honey Dijon Cobb with Panko Chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Chicken Tacos , all salads , burger, miso Salmon are all excellent, service is amazing so is the ambience ! This restaurant is a must if you're at the Mall !! Love, Izzy read more

The six of us call ourselves The Lunch Bunch -- we've been meeting every quarter for 20+ years. Dates are locked in a year ahead so there are no excuses. Of course, life still happens, but the intent is there. I'm usually in charge of picking the spot, and this time I chose Ruscello. Tucked away in the back corner of Nordstrom's third floor, Ruscello is my version of retail therapy -- but with seasoning and table service. Upscale comfort food. The menu leans modern American with Mediterranean-Italian influence: pastas, pizzas, fresh salads, lean proteins, and whole grains all make repeat appearances. Yes, the calories are listed next to the dishes -- helpful if you enjoy being quietly judged by a ravioli. I ignored it. You should too. We started strong with two shared pizzas: * Margherita - Walking a fine line between chewy and crisp the thin crust that knows its place, letting ripe tomatoes, melty mozzarella, and fresh basil do the talking. A minimalist's dream -- and my preferred style of pizza. Admittedly, I strategically saved the crust just to dip it in my pasta sauce. Oh yeah that crust lived its fullest life baby. You're gonna try it now too, don't lie. * Pepperoni - Crispy-cupped edges, slightly charred tiny disks of pepperoni - AKA flavor gold. For my main, I went with the Spicy Wild Shrimp Pomodoro -- sautéed shrimp - tender with a juicy snap,- pasta cooked to a nice al dente and evenly tossed in a bold tomato sauce with baby spinach, heirloom tomatoes, and fresh herbs. The sautéed spinach didn't bring much to the party. It was like a lost soul looking for a culinary body to possess. The heat kick at the finish gave it some attitude and tied the whole dish together. Not a home run, but a solid triple. Nom nom nom. Two members of the bunch couldn't stop raving about the burger, which did look like it belonged on the cover model of Dream Burgers magazine. And yes, I'm still mad at myself for turning down a bite. My gf thoroughly enjoyed her Pesto Salmon Salad. I'll take her words for it since I was on a mission to achieve carb bliss and couldn't be bothered by a salad. What didn't work? The Hoegaarden Belgian White Ale. Smelled like stinky feet. Tasted like... fermented regret. Pass. Pro Tip #1: Wednesdays = 50% off bottles of wine. And yes, you can take the rest home if you don't finish -- not that I've ever let that happen. Pro Tip #2: Lunch is busy. Make a reservation if you want a table, but the bar is a great walk in option. I actually prefer it - better service, more fun, and you'll probably score a seat faster. Plus there's a TV with sports! Love the atmosphere. One of my fave dining rooms in town. Modern, and relaxed with big windows that flood the room with natural light. Although the noise does get bouncy when it's crowded. There's also outdoor seating with a view of Ward Village. Excellent service throughout the meal. Friendly, professional and attentive. Happy Eating!! read more

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I went to Ruscello's for the first time and it did not disappoint!! Since I had a pretty heavy lunch at Kokohead Café, I stopped here for a quick snack and I absolutely fell in love with the tomato soup! It was like heaven in a cup. Perfectly creamy and not super heavy and so full of flavor! We also had the plantation tea (which you can also take to go!!), creme brulee (which was not too sweet which I LOVED), & the coffee gelato and it was just PERFECT snack moment/stop & relaxing shopping break. the service was phenomenal and quick too! I'll definitely be coming back for a meal next time! read more

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We've coming here ever they were at the other locale.... since their move to the Ewa Wing of Ala Moana SC... their food never disappoint our family! My mom is 93years old lives their food fish or chicken.., no meat for her long time diet. Recently they have some what changed their menu which is stable with specials. Today I had the Ahi Playe which was one of the best Ahi presentation I ever ate at Ruscello! Today is exceptionally delicious with the order I've chose for my mother and I...photo follows read more

We returned to Ruscello last week for an early evening dinner. We had a 6pm reservation and were seated outside. I ordered the peperoni and mushroom pizza. It had a crisp crust, and wasn't soggy. It had good flavors, but was a bit on the greasy and was over-salted. My wife had the lobster bisque soup. It was way over-salted, but tasted good otherwise. She almost returned it (I would have). We also had two plantation iced teas. Service was acceptable. Recommended for the view. read more

The service by Nicole was impeccable and diligently delivered with expertise. The dinner for Mother's day (spicy shrimp pomodoro and miso glazed salmon with jasmine rice) were both sweet and savory without being heavy. The artichoke spinach dip with pita bread was delicious and creamy. the Restaurant manager Kiana has done a magnificent job in delivering a great experience and ambiance with the location and is in helpful and affable with great concern and passion for her work and the customer experience read more

Great date spot and cocktails spot. On the top of Nordstrom level. The food is really good and cocktails are very tasty! I'm a fan of the fruity ones and the espresso martini. But the bar can make what ever your heart entails. Service is good. I wouldn't say it's great. I have times when drinks or food come out a little longer than usual. But it is a good place. Once in a great while because it is a little expensive. read more

Ruscello at Nordstrom - Blood Orange Cocktail - Mediterranean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This is one of my favorite spots for a nice dinner in town with friends/family. The food and drinks never disappoint! They have the option of indoor and outdoor seating which is nice as well if you have a larger party and don't want to worry about being too loud. The service is always very good every time I've gone. The waiters are nice and very attentive! read more

Ruscello at Nordstrom - The drinks here are so good!! Cold Brew Martini | Billionaire | Smoke & Heat | French 75 - Mediterranean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I've been here for lunch several times over the past few months with my daughter and family, and the food and service has always been good. Since my granddaughter just started walking, she's been more of a handful with her "toddler energy" and we appreciate the staff's (and other diners) understanding when she started jabbering loudly and sliding food off the table onto the floor (oops, sorry). We ordered a grilled cheese and tomato soup from the children's menu for her and we were all surprised at how good the sandwich was. It was crispy, buttery, and grilled perfectly. It was probably a bit too crispy for her (since she only has 1 tooth coming in), but after soaking it in the soup, she ate about half the sandwich. I had the Nordstrom burger with salad, another regular salad for my daughter, and a French Dip for my SIL. Everything was tasty and after eating the rest of the grilled cheese, we took half of the sandwiches home. Since my daughter got the baby stroller and car seat from Nordstrom, and has another larger one on pre-order, I'm sure we'll have many more meals here in the future. read more

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My husband and I decided to try this restaurant out while here on vacation and it didn't disappoint! We saw many reviews for the French did so we tried that and it was the BEST we've ever had - very tender and flavorful. We also ordered the margarita pizza which was also very good. Only downfall was that the fries weren't really cooked through but it was close to closing so we didn't say anything. The waitress was also very friendly and attentive. read more

Ruscello at Nordstrom - Mediterranean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We came here for an early Mother's Day celebration because we can't do it next week. We were seated promptly, next to a server station, but it wasn't disruptive. So glad we came here because the prosciutto and arugula pizza is back! It was my favorite for many years and disappeared off the menu. But they no longer serve table bread, and I just had some about 2 months ago. So that's sad. The pizza was as good as I remember. We always have to get a bowl of tomato basil soup, a must. Another favorite is the French dip, which my dh had. The olive spread in addition to the au jus is nice. My older son enjoyed his burger, but there were very little fries that came with it. He kept stealing fries from other plates. My younger son enjoyed his fries. lol. He had about half of a chicken tender, but he's picky. He didn't hate it. The kids meal comes with potatoes and not fries, which is kind of weird because kids love fries. Fries are a $2 extra charge. Also they sprinkled some herbs all over it, which is weird, again, because it's for kids. Most of them don't like green stuff, much less herbs, sprinkled all over their fries. Anyway, I'll be back but maybe without my kids. read more

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As a first timer, we got reservation for 1:00 pm . It was busy and luckily we got seated within 5 min. The server was really nice she took our drinks and orders in. The wait time wasn't that long so that was good cuz we was super hungry. We order the spinach dip, the burrata, the Brussels sprouts, portabella mushroom ravioli, steak, and chicken Parmesan . Everything was pretty good. The drinks was strong. It was good. Also the desserts we got was delicious. The white choc bread pudding and the creme brûlée was a good combo. Definitely would come back here again read more

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Nice place with good service. We had a work team holiday lunch. Everyone seemed to enjoy their dishes. I had the skirt steak and it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Portion was a bit on the small side - I would've enjoyed more of the potatoes and asparagus. Con - it was a little warm. read more

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Quite decent Italian food place at the Ala Moana. The chicken pesto gnocchi was quite good. I added a side of mushrooms instead of the spinach and it made the dish really pop with flavor. Great service, the staff was kind to help with the modification I wanted to make to the dish. read more

I would occasionally dine at Ruscello when my friend is craving here. Reservations had to be made a few days in advance to get a table. Chicken lemon pesto gnocchi: The ricotta gnocchi was good. It was soft and chewy. The pesto sauce was good. Good flavor and goes well with the gnocchi. The lemon gives a refreshing taste and it was subtle. The chicken was pretty dry and flavorless. It left the chicken on the side. Shrimp scampi: The pizza flavor was good. The Alfredo sauce works so well over the marinara sauce for pizza. It was cheese, thin, and baked well. The only issue I had was the shrimp. It has the fishy smell that makes it taste like it was not fresh. We picked them off our pizza. Shrimp scampi pizza without the shrimp? Kind of a let down when the shrimp was supposed to be the star. Double chocolate brownie sundae: I love hot fudge brownie with ice cream on top. Couldn't resist ordering this. The brownie was kind of dry and hard. It wasn't fudgey or gooey but it was chocolatety. The fudge sauce on the side and the ice cream on top helps soften the brownie and adds more sweetness to it. Overall, there are some ups and downs to each of their dishes. It was my first time trying these since my go-to order would be the mushroom ravioli. Their plantation ice tea is very good. Sweet and not watered down. It's also refillable which is a plus. read more

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We loved the soups- lobster bisque (a little salty to me), tomato basil soup (excellent). The chicken bolognese meatball penne was to our surprise a little dry. We also overlooked the word chicken. I wish they had beef version. Service was excellent and it's ocean view if you're seated in a nice spot. read more

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I enjoy going to Ruscello at Nordstrom - Ala Moana. My go to things that I get there is the Cilantro lime chicken tacos and and the ginger sesame salad with salmon. I also like their tomato basil soup which you can do a quart to go and it comes with some of their bread. Each time I've gone there, the service has always been great. Food comes out fast too. Best to make reservations on open table since it gets quite busy during the lunch hour especially on weekends. read more

Ruscello at Nordstrom - Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos - Mediterranean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Absolutely love the Nordstrom Restaurant here in Hawaiʻi! This is one of our go-to spots, especially when I'm with my kids. No matter who you get, the staff is always so kind, patient, and welcoming -- which makes such a difference when dining with keiki. The food is consistently delicious. The tacos are so yummy (even though I'll admit I'm still sad they went up in price ). The calamari and Brussels sprouts are must-order appetizers -- seriously so good every time. And can we talk about the kids salmon meal?! Best meal deal ever. Sub the potatoes for rice and it's basically every local kid's dream We love this place so much -- great food, great service, and always a positive experience for the whole family. Highly recommend! read more

Ruscello at Nordstrom - Kids Salmon - Mediterranean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We were able to RSVP for for the evening on Opentable which made everything super convenient! Parking at the ala Moana center with no issue. I would recommend entering through piikoi st or ala Moana blvd side to get the best parking though. Reservation started at seven and we were early on time waiting for our table to be prepared. Our server of the night, Charisa was very lovely. She was very accommodating and attentive as she always checked up on us to see how the food was, to get us anymore, food or drinks, and even all the way up to dessert when it was last call. The restaurant itself is very casual and very beautiful with high ceilings with a nice view from the inside and out as we were seated next to the windows with its automatic rising curtains to see the view from outside. The restaurant is family-friendly, great for groups, great for a wheelchair accessibility I/a. The food was overall amazing, the server was great, and just overall the dining experience was very effortless. Although, it would be great if they had happy hour! Maybe someday! read more

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First things first: REQUEST TO SIT OUTIDE ESPECIALLY AT SUNSET! THE VIEW IS AMAZING! The service was great, the server was very nice but they were very very busy! Took a while to get the food so I rated it down a star!! Now to the food! What did we order! - shrimp scampi pizza 10/10 would order again - Brussels sprouts 8/10 good but expensive for what it is - the whiskey cocktail (billionaire) 10/10 very good! Now the bad part: the calamari was overcooked and bottom of the bag. It was just terrible! Our fault we didn't say anything! THE WORST CALAMARI APP WE HAVE EVER HAD.. very sad.... Overall: we've been here numerous times so we love the food and service just had a "bad night". We will return! Also if you are visiting! Come here for the sunset views and great service!!!!!! read more

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My friend and I went for lunch here and I was so surprised by this place. It's extremely clean and bright. Great seats inside or outside. The hostess and servers were friendly and made great suggestions. The food was very flavorful but simple at the same time. The fries came this with spicy remoulade sauce that was a perfect compliment to them. I would definitely go back and recommend to others. Side note, I wore athletic shorts and slippers, no need to dress up to eat here like I was thinking. Overall great spot. read more

Ruscello at Nordstrom - Spicy Chicken Parmesan Baguette Regular fries - Mediterranean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Server and her assistant were friendly, very personable, checking on us, refilling our hot water for our tropical green tea. Ordered: Salmon Nicole Salad - grilled, smoky, and flaky, great with vegetables Truffle Mushroom Pizza was absolutely divine, bursting with flavor Calamari was crispy with different slices of ? pickled peppers! Cup of lobster soup is something not to miss with the accompanying cheesy baguette toast! It's a friendly atmosphere, slightly above average on noise level, but still can have a conversation. Part 2 Another day with another friend...for lunch! Turkey avocado club (friend's favorite), I know that avocado makes it so creamy and came with some sauces! Regular fries! French Dip Sandwich with truffle Parmesan fries - we'll done, intense beefy flavor soaked into bread once dipped! A small commode of truffle pate to dip your fries in. Talk about a slap to your palate! Shared a bowl of lobster soup! Two cheesy baguette toasts Crispy calamari.... Restaurants bread with their garlic butter! read more

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Food is great and servers are usually the sweetest! Always come here for the food and service is typically okay. But lately it is not it!!! Thursday right after opening at 11:30 (time where things are typically already going and everyone's awake right?) hostess gives me attitude 2x, on the phone (I try to make a reservation to make things easier for us because we have a baby), and the second time while I'm there and she's telling me there's a one hour time limit for if we choose to dine inside.... So that's why we chose to sat outside where whoever seated us did not accommodate us with a kids seat and only crayons and kids menu! They gave us an adult chair for a 3 year old. And why are you giving guests a one hour time limit for your food not that this is a fine dining experience but you expect us to tip min 17% like okay!!! Thank you Ruscello!!! read more